Joe Lee

Joe William Lee, 88, of Concord, passed away peacefully with his wife of 66 years by his side on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at their residence in Concord.

Mr. Lee was born June 2, 1932 in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late George Merton Lee and the late Grace Freeze Lee.  He was also preceded in death by his older brother Bobby Lee and daughter, Ashlyn Lee.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 am Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg with a memorial service following. The Reverend Perry Hines of the Roberta United Methodist Church will be officiating. The committal service will be held at a later date in Carolina Memorial Park of Harrisburg.

Survivors include wife, Michelle Ratcliffe Lee of Concord, NC, Sister-in-Law Willie-Mae Lee of Belton, SC, Daughter, Tammy Hutchings, Son, Joe W. Lee, Jr. and wife Jan W. Lee.  Also surviving are grandchildren, Zack Lee and wife Natalie W. Lee, Jacob Lee, Bryson Lee, Evan Lee, Jordan Lee, Gabriel Hutchings and, great granddaughter Josephine G. Lee.

Joe graduated from Lees McCrae College in Banner Elk, NC where he played football.  He also attended Queens College in Charlotte, N.C.  He began his professional career in the Dispatch office at Fredrickson Motor Express Corporation.  After being drafted into the U. S. Army in 1956, where he served two years as a Dental Assistant, he returned to civilian life and worked at P.I.E. Nationwide as an Assistant Terminal Manager.

Joe’s passions were his family, children, grandchildren, growing a vegetable garden, and singing in the Church choir.  If there was ever a school function or athletic event for one of the children or family members, you could always count on Pawpaw/Grandpa to be there.  The same could also be said for the church choir.  Joe had a rich deep baritone voice and he absolutely loved singing hymns or any type of church music.  Though never taking a lesson, Joe played the piano fluently by ear and taught himself to read and perform music.

Memorials may be made to music fund of Roberta United Methodist Church.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Lee family.